If you love the idea of an Indiana Jones-like character caught up in the midst of an alien invasion, add The Gate to your TBR. I just finished it a few weeks ago, and I’m chomping at the bit for the next book in the series. This author would choose to join the Ghostbusters over the X-Files team, and I agree wholeheartedly with her logic. Welcome Staci Troilo (writing as D.L. Cross)!

Would you rather walk through a haunted graveyard at midnight or spend the night in a haunted, abandoned house?

I’d definitely prefer the graveyard. Go ahead and call me weird (it wouldn’t be the first time—or the last), but when I was a kid, I used to walk up to the cemetery and hang out there. The setting (surrounded by woods with lots of trees spaced throughout) was beautiful, and I found it peaceful. And I got to visit departed family members. (No, I don’t think that’s the only place to talk to the dead, but I do feel close to them when I’m at their gravesites.) Besides, it’s got to be easier to run from a ghost across open land than up rickety stairs in a dilapidated house, right? (And don’t get me started on how stupid people are to run UP steps when they’re being chased.)

Would you rather be a vampire or a werewolf?

As much as I love wolves, I’m going to have to go with vampire. They’re in control of when they turn, they have no health issues, and they never get old. (I feel every one of my years right now, and several more I haven’t earned yet!) I’m not even convinced daylight would be a problem, as there are stories where it’s not (Vampire Diaries rings, The Originals, the ridiculous sparkly vampires…).

Would you rather be part of the X-Files team or Ghostbusters?

I have to go with Ghostbusters on this one. As much as I love sci-fi and the X-Files, the Ghostbusters have more fun. (And if it’s the reboot—which I hated—I’d get to work with Chris Hemsworth, so… not really a question at that point, is it?)

If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in the same setting, where would you choose?

Absolutely Italy. There’s so much history there (which factors into many of my stories) and I’ve always wanted to go. The food, the culture, the scenery, extended family… what’s not to love? It wasn’t even a question I needed to ponder.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I’ve got several works in various stages. It’s kind of daunting. I never used to work on more than one project at a time. Now, I have several going at once. And I like it that way. It keeps me from getting bored.

Next year, under pen names, I have 13 works scheduled for publication. They’re currently under various stages of completion, from barely-a-concept all the way through formatted-and-ready-for-publication. I’m also doing (or at least trying) NaNo this year, and if all goes well, I’ll have at least one title to publish as Staci Troilo in 2020.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters of the opposite sex?

Here’s an odd twist for you—I think writing men is easier than writing women. This is a time when Ivory Tower Princesses don’t need Knights in Shining Armor. Today’s heroine needs to don her own shield, wield her own weapon, and not only save herself, but save the man and everybody else. She’s a difficult character to write. Too soft, readers call her TDTL or a simpering b!#@%. Too hard, readers complain she’s cold and unrelatable. I think achieving the right balance in a female character is much more difficult than writing a well-developed male character.

He lost his job. Lost his girl. Now it’s all he can do not to lose his life.

Landon Thorne is a disgraced archaeologist, a laughing stock in his field because of his unconventional beliefs — he’s an ancient astronaut theorist. No one takes him seriously.

Until an alien armada targets Earth.

Now Landon’s in high demand — by the US government and someone far more sinister.

They race across two continents to the Gate of the Gods, the one place on Earth that might give humans an advantage over the aliens. But no one is prepared for what they’ll find.

Staci Troilo writes because she has hundreds of stories in her head. She publishes because people told her she should share them. She’s a multi-genre author whose love for writing is only surpassed by her love for family and friends, and that relationship-centric focus is featured in her work.

Great interview! I have to agree a out walking through a cemetary over a haunted house. I’m a cemetary walker, too. You have 13 works scheduled next year? Wow, that’s impressive, Staci. I can’t wait to see what they all are:)

How great to find Staci visiting here today, Teri! I’ve read The Gate and loved it! And I loved this interview, too. I can’t believe how busy you are, Staci! I’m amazed, and tired just from reading about all you have going on!

I’m with you on cemeteries. I find them utterly fascinating and the older, the better. I love reading inscriptions on tombstones. I’d rather not run into a ghost either inside a haunted house, OR in a cemetery, but I totally understand not wanting to be shut up with one! Room to run is better! 😀

And I even agree on your choice between vamps and wolves. I have enough trouble managing two legs. I don’t want to deal with four! Plus, in wolf form, you can’t talk so well. I”d rather be able to utter devastatingly frightening lines while in full monster form. 😀

It amazes me how busy you are. I’m about to collapse from this book tour, and am worried about finishing a couple of projects. I can’t imagine your pace. I kind of like working on more than one thing at a time now. I always feared that, but it kind of works for me.

I’m used to be with you on visiting the Graveyard, Staci, because of the open spaces, peace and quiet. I used to go there when there was a lesson at school I wanted to avoid. It was far better than running around a muddy field trying to kick a ball into a goal.

I can’t believe how many books you have in progress. Just writing one blog post is enough for me at the moment. Any more than that, and I’m in meltdown.

Teri, thanks so much for hosting me. Thanks for this awesome month-long tour. You always make me feel welcome when I’m a guest here, and when I’m just reading along, you always present such great authors and works. Raising my glass to you. 🍷

Fantastic interview, Staci! I loved all of your answers and the reasons given for your answers. I am in awe of how many books you have in the works right now! Wow!! You are amazing! This was fun to read. Thank you, Teri, for having Staci over and asking such cool questions!

Great interview, Staci. I agree with all of your answers. Cemetery, Vampire, Italy, Ghost Busters, I always laugh when those being chased go up the stairs, or down to the basement. Not much hope for them if you ask me. And they usually die.

I have decided to do NaNo this year as well. As I am not one to write just one project at a time (I seem to have several started) I believe this will benefit me. Now I have to stick to it and make it a priority. Hoping that my buddies will make it easier for me.

Enjoyed this interview, Staci and Teri. Graveyards are my thing, too- not sure about going there at midnight though!
I also agree about writing female POV. The women of today need to have almost the same characteristics as a male, but with a side of vulnerability- tough to get right. By the way, have you watched Stumptown on Wednesday nights? Now, there’s a great female lead!

I love visiting cemeteries, too, and have since I was a childhood. They’re so peaceful and there is so much history tied up in the people buried there. Really old cemeteries are especially fascinating. Now, would I want to be there at night? Nah. Methinks not.

You know I loved the gate. I’m a fan girl, eagerly waiting for more of your stellar writing and story-telling.

As for your freakishly daunting schedule–I have to come up for air just thinking about it!

OMG. I saw thirteen projects and fainted:) I can’t even wrap my brain around it. The cemetery might look peaceful after all that work. And I read and loved The Gate, too. I usually avoid sci/fi. But yours was as much character-driven as plot driven and hooked me.

Love love this interview! And agreed about Ghostbusters (okay, the Chris H part 😉 ) Ha about the vamps (sparkly–I see what you did there 😀 ) And I wish I could stop time so I could catch up on my TBR. I’m finally getting to Tortured Soul.